Description: Bathed in frozen moonlight, this abandoned drilling platform is now a monument to human frailty.
Based on the original Lockout this map is a UNSC research station set in the Arctic; comprised of 4 levels of interconnected platforms and rooms this map has numerous ways to transition between each floor. The top floor is pretty much just the sniper platform and the battle rifle platforms facing one another but they lead down to the main third floor. The third floor has many rooms and walkways that connect to one another and the the battle rifle side there are a few drop-down spots to transition to the second floor. The second floor is the underground area of Blackout and a long hallway leading all the way from the battle rifle tower to the sniper tower. Also connected onto the second floor is a hallway that leads to the gravity lift room which take you back to the third floor. You can also access the small walkway where the energy sword is from this floor. The last and final floor is accessible only from the lift room and the center room on the third floor. It is basically just one small elongated room that contains a shotgun and is good for sneaking up on enemies.
- Often times if you engage a enemy first they will try to duck for cover down one of the many holes to a lower level of Blackout. Instead of following them down there, if you see them motion to do this toss a grenade down the whole instead and you will have scored a easy kill. This works only if you have damaged the enemy previously and throw the grenade in time. They will not be able to escape the blast radius of the grenade if thrown properly.
- Another grenade useful grenade tactic is to toss grenades round corners before you walk through the door frame. Often times, especially on the lower levels, their will be enemies waiting round the corner with the shotgun or the sword. Sword camping is very prevalent especially in the center room and the lower floor of the BR tower. A quick grenade toss though can scare any camper out of there position into a vulnerable position.
- Don't underestimate the effects of the single spiker in close combat. All it takes is a 1 to 2 second of shrapnel to hit a enemy then a quick beat down with the blades of the spiker and you can score a quick kill. Against the default assault rifle the spiker will always win out, providing you can close the distance to score the melee.
- SWAT
by Vishra
*Areas on the map
- There are a few main areas you should know. the most obvious is the red lift at one side of the map. it has a basement that normaly spawns shotgun, and opens in two directions. one is to its left, known as elbow, which leads up to the sniper tower.
- Snipe tower has three levels to it, s1, s2, s3. S1 has a doorway which shows access along the main route along bottom hallway, and also has a fusion coil and a drop opening from s2 in the back corner. S2 has a wide open platform on the left half, and the right half has a small cubby area with a drop to s1. S3 is up the last flight of stairs and is a small spot with a sniper rifle spawn and a fusion coil.
- Continuing in the bottom between s1 and the red lift is the lobby, a small area that connects all the lower areas on the map, and has a drop down to shotgun spawn. Continuing from here is br tower, consisting of three levels.
- The bottom level looks directly down the corridor to s1, and also has a walkway down to where the sword normally spawns. br2 has an opening to the stairway which connects all three levels and an opening to the library, which is a side room tht has openings to all three br levels and the main area in the center of the map. br3 is a lage, semi-protected area that has a walkway up to it on each side and is open to the main area and snipe tower.
* Tips and Tricks
- If your spawning in library, you have a few options. my personal favorite thing to do is drop through the floor opening to sword spawn, then go up into br1. from here you can see down the corridor to s1 and the bottom of red lift, which can set you up an easy few kills.
- If you spawn initially in lift, you can go two ways that are usually effective: go through elbow up to s1 and pick off anyone in the bottom, or go up to s2 and snipe people off the br tower. you can also run into the lobby. its a bit risky and leaves you open, but if your quick, you can usually gain a double kill either at the sword spawn or at the br2 drop.
- Lobby has slanted walls, which you can sit on and remain relativey protected. If your teammates are holding br1 or s1, you can hold lobby with pretty good coverage. from there, you can see bottom lift and either br1 or s1.
- This map has very few easily guarded spots, but the easiest is most likely Snipe Tower.It has only two entrances in the bottom level, one from lobby and one from elbow. S2 has entrances from s1, top mid, and s3. If a teammate hold s1, the only real worry is from top mid.Finally, hold s3, as the only way to it is either through s1 and s2, or across top mid. this laves one more person to run between all three, giving help where needed.
- While br3 is a nice position, you can sometimes be caught coming down the stairs to br2. an easy way to remedy this problem: when on top, jump up on the wall and walk to the edge, then to the stairs. this allows you to see all of top lift, elbow, s2,s3, and the main area. it is vulnerable, so try not to stay there too long. this will give you a nasty surprise for anyon trying to sneak up on you.
- Remember, you CAN jump from top mid to br3. Jump onto the edging of the platform, then jump again. the front of the tower is slanted, allowing you to climb up to your enemies.
- If your down by only a few kills and its getting down to the wire, you may need to go to the old standby of hiding a few teammates to increase your chances. a good spot is down at shotgun. there are two side cubbies down there, and while they are common knowledge, no one really takes the time to go check them out. also, you can jump up behind the sword spawn and hide.
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